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A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery #4
Een Verstoord Bezoek (Een Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery—Boek 4)
VEXED ON A VISIT (A LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY—BOOK 4) is book four in a charming new cozy mystery series by Fiona Grace.
Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, has made a drastic change: she has walked away from the fast life of New York City and settled down in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire.
Summer has arrived, and Lacey is delighted when her chef boyfriend surprises her with an offer for a long weekend trip, a romantic getaway into the neighboring seaside towns of the British countryside, with her beloved dog, and a chance to go antiquing.
But Lacey is even more surprised when her family shows up from New York on a surprise visit—and when they want to come along!
Even worse, Lacey, in a neighboring town, finds herself in the midst of a murder scene. And once again, with her reputation on the line, she may be the only one who can solve it.
Lacey Doyle, 39 years old and freshly divorced, has made a drastic change: she has walked away from the fast life of New York City and settled down in the quaint English seaside town of Wilfordshire.
Summer has arrived, and Lacey is delighted when her chef boyfriend surprises her with an offer for a long weekend trip, a romantic getaway into the neighboring seaside towns of the British countryside, with her beloved dog, and a chance to go antiquing.
But Lacey is even more surprised when her family shows up from New York on a surprise visit—and when they want to come along!
Even worse, Lacey, in a neighboring town, finds herself in the midst of a murder scene. And once again, with her reputation on the line, she may be the only one who can solve it.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2020
425 people are currently reading
453 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Grace
477 books721 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 9, 2020
book on tape. same reader as the first book. her voice is very affected so couldn't listen to it.
November 18, 2021
Horrible storyline. Horrible voice for narration. I will not listen if that person reads again.
July 9, 2020
Good series
I'm liking this series because of the settings mostly. The mysteries are okay as well. I find the main character just a but annoying. She doesn't seem to learn or grow as she stumbles along. I will continue with the series as I do love the setting and descriptions of all the antique stores.
I'm liking this series because of the settings mostly. The mysteries are okay as well. I find the main character just a but annoying. She doesn't seem to learn or grow as she stumbles along. I will continue with the series as I do love the setting and descriptions of all the antique stores.
September 19, 2020
With Chester at the vets, Lacey needs another sidekick. And she gets one. It is Auntie Sherlock and Watsonbot against another murderer. Not quite the romantic weekend Lacey hoped for. But for us readers it is a very interesting and funny trip.
And a good mystery!
And a good mystery!
January 13, 2022
Terrible narrator! DNF. Unfortunately this is the same
Narrator (Mary Sarah) from Book 1 & she even narrates books 4-10. I’m fairly patient and forgiving regarding audiobook narrators. However, she vacillates between a slow soft whisper said in a sing song voice to a shrill rapid speech. It’s very jarring to go so quickly from one to another. Her pronunciation of end consonants is so pronounced and exaggerated that it disrupts the entire flow. I found her sickeningly sweet and saccharine voice to be fake and unnatural. Obviously I feel strongly about this particular narrator and sadly I will not continue with this series.
Narrator (Mary Sarah) from Book 1 & she even narrates books 4-10. I’m fairly patient and forgiving regarding audiobook narrators. However, she vacillates between a slow soft whisper said in a sing song voice to a shrill rapid speech. It’s very jarring to go so quickly from one to another. Her pronunciation of end consonants is so pronounced and exaggerated that it disrupts the entire flow. I found her sickeningly sweet and saccharine voice to be fake and unnatural. Obviously I feel strongly about this particular narrator and sadly I will not continue with this series.
May 14, 2022
Ugh. Still don’t know why I’m listening to these. She’d better find her dad in the next one.
July 9, 2024
This fourth installment of author Fiona Grace’s Lacey Doyle Cozy Mysteries is just as charming as the first three!
Lacey’s mom, sister, and nephew come to visit (a surprise to Lacey) right on the cusp of her much-needed, well-overdue getaway with boyfriend Tom. Tom, completely clueless of Lacey’s distress, invites them all along! What follows Lacey wherever she seems to go? That’s right, a mystery! It’s another great one, so pull up a recliner and settle in for Vexed on a Visit.
Lacey’s mom, sister, and nephew come to visit (a surprise to Lacey) right on the cusp of her much-needed, well-overdue getaway with boyfriend Tom. Tom, completely clueless of Lacey’s distress, invites them all along! What follows Lacey wherever she seems to go? That’s right, a mystery! It’s another great one, so pull up a recliner and settle in for Vexed on a Visit.
November 23, 2021
Book 4, and Lacey is finally looking forward to more time with her chef boyfriend when her family unexpectedly descends on her, and he invites them along on their romantic get away. The family members are unexpectedly likeable despite her less than cordial history with them. I especially liked her nephew who served as her sidekick as she investigates a murder in their vacation setting. 3.5 stars
February 11, 2024
I’m not sure why I read this. Guess I just keep hoping it would get better. I’m generously giving this 2*s. The characters are tolerable but the story line is so awful. Also, the reader of this audiobook has such a poor presentation. Honestly, I’m not sure what she is doing. It almost seemed she’s making fun of her characters. I could barely push through to the end.
February 9, 2025
This is an interesting series. My only issue lies in the audiobook version. The main character is american but the narrator is british and uses her own voice. On top of this, many things Lacey says, from the beginning of the series are very British and totally not American in style.
September 25, 2023
These books are low brain power indulgences. The main character makes bad decisions and is waaaay too invested in other people’s issues. There is also a serious lack of quality control across books. I’m ok with retconning something major for the purpose of the series arc. But Grace just messes up small details as if reader is not supposed to pay all that much attention. I literally listen to these to go to sleep, and I still notice the continuity errors.
But—again—they are normally a pleasant distraction. EXCEPT Mary Sarah is back. Her weird phrasing, articulations, and borderline lisp are bad. But last straw is her approach: She narrates as if she is reading dime store erotica and it is annoying, distracting, and dissolves any of the pleasantness of listening. I powered through book 1, but it was a major mistake not to check the reader on this one.
But—again—they are normally a pleasant distraction. EXCEPT Mary Sarah is back. Her weird phrasing, articulations, and borderline lisp are bad. But last straw is her approach: She narrates as if she is reading dime store erotica and it is annoying, distracting, and dissolves any of the pleasantness of listening. I powered through book 1, but it was a major mistake not to check the reader on this one.
July 21, 2022
Avoid the audio—worst narration!
December 21, 2022
Obnoxious. Obnoxious family. Obnoxious characters. Obnoxious storyline. DNF at 40%.
August 24, 2024
I wanted to reach in and strangle her mother and sister for their inconsiderate behavior 😒 😤
March 27, 2024
4 Stars
The Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery Series by Fiona Grace is a fun cozy mystery series with an amateur sleuth, whodunnit vibes, crime & investigation, suspense, tension, intrigue, drama, and intriguing developments.
Lacey Doyle is almost forty, and newly divorced - and in desperate need of a fresh start. So, she quits her job and her horrible boss and makes a sea change- moving to the charming seaside town of Wilfordshire, and opens an antique shop. But no sooner has she started to settle in, when one of her customers turns up dead- and Lacey is definitely prime suspect in the eyes of the town. She has no choice but to try and solve the crime so she can clear her name. Her fresh start, business, and reputation are on the line.
‘With a business to run, a next-door neighbor turned nemesis, a flirty baker across the street, and a crime to solve – is this new life all that Lacey thought it would be?’
As the series progresses, Lacey seems to attract trouble and mystery- getting drawn into investigations and mysterious developments….. all of which make for a fun read.
Each instalment in the series follows a fairly predictable ‘recipe’- especially after you’ve read a few of the books- but with a few clever touches from the author, she keeps you turning the pages, engrossed till the end. Even though the stories were a little predictable, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment and appreciation of the stories/series at all- in fact I found it to be part of their ‘charm’.
The Series contains:
-Murder in the Manor (Book #1)
-Death and a Dog (Book #2)
-Crime in the Café (Book #3)
-Vexed on a Visit (Book #4)
-Killed with a Kiss (Book #5)
-Perished by a Painting (Book #6)
-Silenced by a Spell (Book #7)
-Framed by Forgery (Book #8)
-Catastrophe in a Cloister (Book #9)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
The Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery Series by Fiona Grace is a fun cozy mystery series with an amateur sleuth, whodunnit vibes, crime & investigation, suspense, tension, intrigue, drama, and intriguing developments.
Lacey Doyle is almost forty, and newly divorced - and in desperate need of a fresh start. So, she quits her job and her horrible boss and makes a sea change- moving to the charming seaside town of Wilfordshire, and opens an antique shop. But no sooner has she started to settle in, when one of her customers turns up dead- and Lacey is definitely prime suspect in the eyes of the town. She has no choice but to try and solve the crime so she can clear her name. Her fresh start, business, and reputation are on the line.
‘With a business to run, a next-door neighbor turned nemesis, a flirty baker across the street, and a crime to solve – is this new life all that Lacey thought it would be?’
As the series progresses, Lacey seems to attract trouble and mystery- getting drawn into investigations and mysterious developments….. all of which make for a fun read.
Each instalment in the series follows a fairly predictable ‘recipe’- especially after you’ve read a few of the books- but with a few clever touches from the author, she keeps you turning the pages, engrossed till the end. Even though the stories were a little predictable, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment and appreciation of the stories/series at all- in fact I found it to be part of their ‘charm’.
The Series contains:
-Murder in the Manor (Book #1)
-Death and a Dog (Book #2)
-Crime in the Café (Book #3)
-Vexed on a Visit (Book #4)
-Killed with a Kiss (Book #5)
-Perished by a Painting (Book #6)
-Silenced by a Spell (Book #7)
-Framed by Forgery (Book #8)
-Catastrophe in a Cloister (Book #9)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
September 22, 2021
Vexed on a Visit is book four in the Lacey Doyle Series by Fiona Grace. After her divorced, Lacey Doyle decided to change her life and move away from New York City. Lacey Doyle moved to the English seaside town of Wilfordshire and opened an antiquing shop. When summer came to Wilfordshire, her boyfriend surprised her with a long weekend trip. However, her romantic trip with her boyfriend was interrupted by her family and murder. The readers of Vexed on a Visit will continue to follow Lacey Doyle to find out what happens.
Vexed on a Visit is a lovely cozy mystery that engaged me with the plot from the first page. I enjoyed reading Vexed on a Visit, and I had to laugh at times with the characters' antics. I love the way Fiona Grace portrayed her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Vexed on a Visit is well written and researched by Fiona Grace. I like Fiona Grace description of the settings of Vexed on a Visit that complements the book's plot.
The readers of Vexed on a Visit will learn about living in a seaside town in Wilfordshire. Also, the readers of Vexed on a Visit will learn about running an antique shop in a small seaside community.
I recommend this book.
Vexed on a Visit is a lovely cozy mystery that engaged me with the plot from the first page. I enjoyed reading Vexed on a Visit, and I had to laugh at times with the characters' antics. I love the way Fiona Grace portrayed her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Vexed on a Visit is well written and researched by Fiona Grace. I like Fiona Grace description of the settings of Vexed on a Visit that complements the book's plot.
The readers of Vexed on a Visit will learn about living in a seaside town in Wilfordshire. Also, the readers of Vexed on a Visit will learn about running an antique shop in a small seaside community.
I recommend this book.
February 27, 2023
This was an amusing and quick read, and the break I needed.
This time around, Lacey is worried because her dog Chester is sick, and will have to stay at the vet. And she and her boyfriend Tom are planning a romantic getaway. But Lacey's friend Ginny assures her she will be happy to visit Chester during that time.
But another major glitch comes up when Lacey's family - her mother, her sister Naomi, and her nephew Frankie - show up to surprise her with a visit on their way on a trip to Scotland. Tom invites them to come along and there goes the romantic part ...
While the others go shopping, Lacey and Frankie go exploring. They stop at an antique shop where the owner is a really unpleasant character. They buy grab bag of old coins, and later when Frankie is sorting them they find a gold coin that looks to be from Roman times.
After an unpleasant confrontation with the shop owner in a local restaurant (he accuses them of stealing the coin), the shop owner is found murdered in his store. Now it's up to Lacey to figure out what happened so suspicion is off her.
The mystery is interesting enough, but also the depictions of Lacey's family - loud New Yorkers in a quiet English village - makes it entertaining.
This time around, Lacey is worried because her dog Chester is sick, and will have to stay at the vet. And she and her boyfriend Tom are planning a romantic getaway. But Lacey's friend Ginny assures her she will be happy to visit Chester during that time.
But another major glitch comes up when Lacey's family - her mother, her sister Naomi, and her nephew Frankie - show up to surprise her with a visit on their way on a trip to Scotland. Tom invites them to come along and there goes the romantic part ...
While the others go shopping, Lacey and Frankie go exploring. They stop at an antique shop where the owner is a really unpleasant character. They buy grab bag of old coins, and later when Frankie is sorting them they find a gold coin that looks to be from Roman times.
After an unpleasant confrontation with the shop owner in a local restaurant (he accuses them of stealing the coin), the shop owner is found murdered in his store. Now it's up to Lacey to figure out what happened so suspicion is off her.
The mystery is interesting enough, but also the depictions of Lacey's family - loud New Yorkers in a quiet English village - makes it entertaining.
February 28, 2025
Acabo de terminar Unas vacaciones tormentosas de Fiona Grace, el cuarto libro de la serie de misterios acogedores de Lacey Doyle, y debo decir que fue una lectura ligera y entretenida.
La historia nos lleva a un encantador pueblo costero donde lo que debía ser un viaje tranquilo se complica con la inesperada llegada de la familia de Lacey y, por si fuera poco, un asesinato que amenaza con arruinarlo todo. Lacey, con su carácter decidido, no puede evitar involucrarse en la resolución del caso, lo que nos lleva a una serie de giros y momentos intrigantes.
Lo mejor del libro es su ambientación: los paisajes costeros están tan bien descritos que casi puedes sentir la brisa marina. Además, la relación entre los personajes tiene momentos muy bien logrados, con diálogos que resultan naturales y entretenidos. Sin embargo, algunos elementos de la trama son bastante predecibles, y ciertos personajes secundarios pudieron haber tenido más desarrollo para aportar mayor profundidad a la historia.
En general, es una lectura ideal si buscas algo ligero con un toque de misterio sin demasiadas complicaciones. Mi calificación es de tres estrellas porque, aunque cumple con su propósito, me hubiera gustado un poco más de sorpresa en la trama.
La historia nos lleva a un encantador pueblo costero donde lo que debía ser un viaje tranquilo se complica con la inesperada llegada de la familia de Lacey y, por si fuera poco, un asesinato que amenaza con arruinarlo todo. Lacey, con su carácter decidido, no puede evitar involucrarse en la resolución del caso, lo que nos lleva a una serie de giros y momentos intrigantes.
Lo mejor del libro es su ambientación: los paisajes costeros están tan bien descritos que casi puedes sentir la brisa marina. Además, la relación entre los personajes tiene momentos muy bien logrados, con diálogos que resultan naturales y entretenidos. Sin embargo, algunos elementos de la trama son bastante predecibles, y ciertos personajes secundarios pudieron haber tenido más desarrollo para aportar mayor profundidad a la historia.
En general, es una lectura ideal si buscas algo ligero con un toque de misterio sin demasiadas complicaciones. Mi calificación es de tres estrellas porque, aunque cumple con su propósito, me hubiera gustado un poco más de sorpresa en la trama.
December 31, 2023
Killed With A Kiss (A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery #5) — Fiona Grace/Narrator: Mary Sarah (29 chapters + Epilogue) Dec. 25, 2023
Lacey new action is a bid on a priceless statute involving the Horsey People. She goes to a local town to gather horse items that the rich and power people of this group would buy. She also decided to put her auction online, but a glitch in the system causes a sickly man to lose out on the winning bidding which results in him coming into her antiques store and yelling at Lacey, with a lot of people witnessing it. As sales start to slide due to his loudly vocal negative feedback, Lacey realizes she has to get involved in finding the killer or else her livelihood may again be in trouble.
Meanwhile, Tom seems a little more distant and Lacey has self-doubts about her relationship with him. Ending is a nice twist that may lead this series in a new direction.
Five stars.
Lacey new action is a bid on a priceless statute involving the Horsey People. She goes to a local town to gather horse items that the rich and power people of this group would buy. She also decided to put her auction online, but a glitch in the system causes a sickly man to lose out on the winning bidding which results in him coming into her antiques store and yelling at Lacey, with a lot of people witnessing it. As sales start to slide due to his loudly vocal negative feedback, Lacey realizes she has to get involved in finding the killer or else her livelihood may again be in trouble.
Meanwhile, Tom seems a little more distant and Lacey has self-doubts about her relationship with him. Ending is a nice twist that may lead this series in a new direction.
Five stars.
July 11, 2021
Talk about an ill-fated vacation - Lacey and Tom are set to take a romantic holiday, but her loud New York family show up unexpectedly. Tom, being super nice, invites them along. Lacey, of course, finds a dead body and believes herself to be the main suspect; apparently thinking that all police officers are daft. Once the mystery is solved, Lacey's family travels to Scotland and she can settle in back at home. At the end of the book Lacey finds a clue to her missing father, which leads to book number 5 in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2021
I didn't enjoy this story as much as I have enjoyed the last three. I'm not sure adding the mother, sister and nephew into what was suppose to be a romantic getaway was the best way to unroll the story. Also, Lacey finding a dead man while on vacation was quite a stretch and her thinking she was the prime suspect was also quite a reach. Although I did really enjoy Frankie, the nephew, and his imagination, his help with the clues trying to find the real murderer.
September 20, 2021
If you show me creepy marionettes in chapter one, I'm going to expect them to play a role.
Vexed on a Visit goes through a lot of set up before we finally get to the murder, which thankfully takes place out of town. There just seemed to be a lot of extra filler in the beginning, like Lacey's dog getting sick, but I do appreciate the long mystery of where Lacey's dad went that is slowly being revealed throughout the series.
Vexed on a Visit goes through a lot of set up before we finally get to the murder, which thankfully takes place out of town. There just seemed to be a lot of extra filler in the beginning, like Lacey's dog getting sick, but I do appreciate the long mystery of where Lacey's dad went that is slowly being revealed throughout the series.
February 10, 2022
This was a simple but fun book to read. Lacey Doyle has moved to England and opened a little antique store in a town called Wilfordshire. Lacey's boyfriend has planned a weekend getaway to Dover for them both when " Surprise", Lacey's American family lands on her doorstep. The adventure that follows was truly entertaining.
May 15, 2022
This book was a laugh out loud for me. When Lacey's family shows up and goes on the romantic getaway with her boyfriend Tom and her family, I could help but enjoy the humor her family brought to the book. The mystery was good and kept me going. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully she will find he dad.
October 25, 2022
I am hooked on this series, can't seem to stop reading on each one after the other. The characters are interesting, have many personality quirks. The plots are engaging and you have to wonder how Lacey is going to get herself in trouble this time. The books are easy to read and can be read straight through, not that you would want to put it down once you start.
August 29, 2024
J'aime bien les romans de cette auteure. J'admets cependant que les intrigues commencent à se ressembler. Lu en audiobook. La narratrice était très bonne encore une fois. Bien content d'être bilingue car la version anglaise n'est pas fameuse. On dirait que la narratrice lit pour des enfants. À en voir les commentaires, je ne suis pas le seul à avoir cette opinion.
May 26, 2025
Definitely want to increase the speed of playback. The main character is supposedly from America but the narrator reads like she is from the UK. No differentiation between characters and the books don’t reveal any clues about her father c which is what keeps you “hooked”. Just annoying enough but I can’t any more. Sorry.
July 16, 2020
I am a great fan of this series and have read two others already, this did not disappoint as I read it in one sitting......a very pleasant way to spend the day in these uncertain times. Thanks for an ARC for an honest review
December 8, 2020
The series is a Fun Read
Delightful mysteries. The small details (about an American in Great Britain) add authenticity and humor. Her unraveling of the clues is well done and keeps me in the “cozy mystery reading game”.
Delightful mysteries. The small details (about an American in Great Britain) add authenticity and humor. Her unraveling of the clues is well done and keeps me in the “cozy mystery reading game”.
December 28, 2020
Almost stopped reading this one because of the disappointment that is dealt to the protagonist near the beginning. Glad I picked it back up, because she gets a fair dose of good in the end. The mystery and adventure also picked up and got the pages turning again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews